Shadow Keepers (Unedited)

Twenty: Bonding and Home

The silence was deafening. That news send me over my limit of shock and I collapsed. Xanto caught me, and I looked in to his confused and concerned hazel eyes. I tried to grin but came out like a grimace. He set me down and I battled with the pain, forcing it to subside. My ‘Lobo’ remained at my side. And Angel ordered that my jacket and shirt removed. I hissed as Matt gently tried to remove my shirt revealing a bloodied tank top and a seeping wound. Angel poked and prodded, until she sighed.

          “You’ve lost a lot of blood and you. Need. To. R-E-S-T.” she demanded and gave me a dark look. I winced and nodded. I was not in any shape to disagree with her. The dragon lifted his head and blew on me. At first I felt nothing change or differ, but then my wound began to heal faster and I felt more blood enter my system. After a minute I felt good to go. Shocked everyone turned to the dragon, who was smirking.

          “I told you, Katielena Kidstrong is my Chaser.” I blinked and possessed everything. I looked up at him after what seemed like forever.

          “Ok.” I whispered. No one argued, A dragon and his Chaser cannot be separate. They make each one a whole, but not like Soul mate does but more like a piece of your soul was missing and you just made it whole. Soul mates are two souls that merge into one. The dragon smiled, I stood and walked over to him.

          “You know how this is done?” I asked, he nodded.

          “It is a binding, noting to fancy, but a little painful.” He said. I gave a quick nod in understanding and pulled out a dagger. I slit my palms and spoke.

          “Salenba d’zarn tulenta.”

          “Place your palms on my skin.” He ordered and I did so. A brilliant light shone and then dimmed to a dull pulsating glow. Then I felt a sort of merging sensation and the light became brighter. I screamed as a searing pain dove through my skin, and into my soul. My demon fought it, but lost and then it began to settle. I felt something crawling on my back, moving and forming into something. I collapsed from exertion, again.

          Tony was the first to reach me. Everyone seemed in a daze of sorts, they kept looking back to the dragon and then to me, gapping.

          “What?” I croaked.

          “The dragon, he’s gone.” Saskia said in wonder. I felt my blood boil, he left after all that about being a Chaser and he just vanishes?! Then I heard a dark voice in my mind.

          “Never, think I would leave you. I am now forever attached to you. I go where you go, I hear and see only what you wish me to hear and see. I feel your emotions and your pain, if you are in danger I will manifest without you command in order to protect you. Use the words of manifest, and I will show. I am here I will never let you feel alone or fearful.” I closed my eyes, I never had anyone who could feel my pain and fear; it was unnerving as well as relieving. I wasn’t alone with my pain any longer.

          “Um, I think I know where he went.” Tony says from behind me. I look at him and he points to my back. Angel turns me around and gasps. I feel her lift my tank a little bit and trace something.

          “What?” I ask, getting irritated with all the fussing and touching.

          “You have a new dragon tattoo on your back.” She says and I feel him moving. It was really weird to feel him roaming across my skin. I squirmed and snapped at him,

          “Knock it off Dragon.”  He chuckles.

          “I do not answer to ‘Dragon’, Chaser. My name is Memacam.”

          “My apologies, Memacam.”

          “Accepted, Katielena.”

          I smile softly. “Let’s go home.” I said and everyone agreed. I put on my shirt and jacket and back flipped on to a waiting Amentha. The wolf howled and ran ahead and into the Penumbra. I flew Amentha high and watch as the sun began to light the sky. I felt revived as a new day began. The others were already in side and Penny Angel and Matt all waited for me in their Shadow forms. I smiled I loved my family this battle didn’t claim any of our lives but lives of many fathers, brothers, and sons. I was grateful for my family; I wouldn’t let anyone take them away from me, not ever again.

          I pushed Amentha down and we cut the air with our rapid descent. My siblings ran next to me as we passed through realms. We crested a hill and the castle came into view. I could see everyone waiting for us. A festival already underway, lights were strung on tree and walls. Music and laughter drifted with the wind. And once the children saw us coming closer they all squealed with delight.

I jumped off Amentha once we reached the castle walls. The children flocked me and begged for stories and dances. I laughed, played and conversed with everyone. They all were happy to see me returned home, and I was glad to be back where I could run free and not be wary of being caught.  Matt pulled me over to the dance floor and we danced, it wasn’t a particular dance, just relaxing and laughing away. The celebrations went on and on, and soon the sun was setting and the real party started. Fireworks and flight beasts lit up the sky. The stars and the moon joined with the dancing. And the food was excellent. After a few more hours, I slipped away, and entered the castle courtyard. I walked up the steppes to the imposing doors. I paused while I rested my hands on the doors. I thought about the dream, and all the times I had been here. Maybe I am ready to rule. As soon it entered my mind I pushed that thought away. I might be ready but my council was not. And I won’t push them on their decisions.

I entered in and saw servants bustling about. I greeted some and left them to their work. I climbed stairs and wandered down halls, until I finally reached my suites. I went straight to the bath. The steaming water was just being put in by my most trusted servant, Suzie.

“Suzie.” I greeted her with a hug. She giggled and finished the water. I stripped and climbed in, relaxing under the heat. The blood, grime, and sweat all washed away, and I felt at peace.

“I showed our new guests to their rooms. I suppose it will be permanent?” Suzie asked.

“That’s perfect, thanks Sue.” I breathed as I sunk deeper into the water. Suzie grinned and excused herself. After a while I got out and changed into my comfortable sweats and a tank top. I went out in search of the trainees; I didn’t want them to feel awkward in my home, seeing as it just became their home as well.